Palgo Journals Of Medicine and Medical Science, Vol. 9(1) PP. 1-7 ,November , 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Palgo Journals
Review
HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF WHITE BELLIED PANGOLIN (Phataginus tricuspis) IN CAPTIVITY OF FEDERAL COLLEGE OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, NEWBUSSA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.
Fatokun, B.O.1*, Ajayi, S.R.2, Adeola A.J.2 and Ogialekhe. P.
1Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal College of Wildlife Management, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 268, New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Federal College of Wildlife Management, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 268, New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria.
Accepted 28 November 2024
Abstract
Illegal trafficking of the scales of the White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) for purpose such as its use in
traditional medicine in the Asian region has made this species of Wild animals to face the threat of extinction due to.
Ex-situ captive breeding and reintroduction programs have been identified to be a key effort in the conservation of the
species. The determination of Haemato-biochemical parameters of captive White bellied pangolin (Phataginus
tricuspis) is vital to assess the physiological status of these animals during health assessment experiments. This work
aims at establishing the blood parameters of White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in the captivity of Federal
College of Wildlife Management, New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria and compares the blood parameters with the
established blood reference ranges for rescued wild White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in New-Bussa and
its environs, Niger State, Nigeria. Blood samples collected from eight (8) captive (four males and four female) clinically
normal captive White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) were used to establish the parameters for hematology
and serum biochemistry. Potassium level in Male captive White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) were
significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to the potassium levels in the female captive White bellied pangolin
(Phataginus tricuspis). It was discovered that the levels of the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil counts, alanine
phosphatase (ALP) and phosphorus in Captive White bellied pangolins were significantly (P<0.05) lower when
compared with rescued wild White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis). It was also discovered that the levels of the
Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Total Protein (TP), globulin and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were significantly (P<0.05)
higher in pangolins in captivity when compared with rescued White bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in NewBussa, Niger State, Nigeria.
Key words: Haemato-biochemical,Captive, White bellied pangolin, Ex-situ, Phataginus tricuspis.
